Peptides modulating the activity of the engrailed transcription factor

Abstract

The invention relates to peptides which can become fixed to the engrailed transcription factor and which can modulate the activity thereof.

1 . A peptide capable of binding to the Engrailed transcription factor, chosen from: 
 the peptide of sequence SWWETQLIASSG;    the peptide of sequence WSWNEEVWFPFT.    
     
     
         2 . A composition comprising a peptide as claimed in  claim 1 , combined with a peptide comprising a transducing domain.  
     
     
         3 . The composition as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that said transducing peptide is a penetratin.  
     
     
         4 . The composition as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that said transducing peptide is the Engrailed protein, or a fragment thereof comprising at least its homeodomain.  
     
     
         5 . The composition as claimed in any one of claims  2  to 4, characterized in that it consists of a chimeric polypeptide.  
     
     
         6 . A polynucleotide chosen from: 
 a polynucleotide encoding a peptide as claimed in  claim 1;     a polynucleotide encoding a chimeric polypeptide as defined in  claim 5 .    
     
     
         7 . The use of a peptide as claimed in  claim 1 , of a composition as claimed in any one of  claims 2  to  5 , or of a polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 6 , for regulating, in vitro, the activity of the Engrailed transcription factor in a living cell.  
     
     
         8 . The use of a peptide as claimed in  claim 1 , of a composition as claimed in any one of  claims 2  to  5 , or of a polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 6 , for obtaining a medicinal product.